Israel launches attack on Iran and expects imminent retaliatory strikes

Israel says it has carried out a pre-emptive attack on Iran's nuclear programme

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel had carried out a pre-emptive strike on Iran, and has also declared a state of emergency in Israel.

The announcement said: "Following the State of Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.

"Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.

"You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas."

The BBC reported that an Israeli military official has said that there have been multiple strikes and that they are "against Iran’s nuclear programme and other military targets".

Officials say a dozens strikes have targeted different areas of the country.

Sky News reported that the Israeli Air Force had carried out the attack on Iran.

It comes as videos on X show smoke in the Iranian capital of Tehran as well as reports of loud bangs in the city.

Tensions have been rising in the middle East, notably over Iran's failure to comply with the UN's nuclear watchdog, producing almost weapons grade uranium, which it is forbidden from doing.

Earlier this week Iran had already said it would respond forcefully to any attacks as the threat of an Israeli attack loomed.

Reported by The Telegraph, Salami promised via state television that his nation would respond “more forcefully and destructively” than ever before if their enemies launched an attack.

US officials had been warned that Israel was deliberating a hit on Iran without the support of Washington.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh also warned yesterday (June 12) that the Americans must flee the region if any conflict breaks out, “because all its bases are within our range and we will target all of them in the host countries regardless.”